I didn't stop or walk at any stage, and even though it took me about 40 minutes I am actually glowing from being able to do this!
Tried the 'Couch-to-5K' challenge a couple of months ago, and quit after a couple of weeks as I just didn't feel ready. At the time I was really angry with myself as I'd set a goal to run a 5K by Christmas, but my confidence was so low and I couldn't stop thinking 'I'm an obese woman, there's no way I can run 3.11 miles!' And before today the longest I'd managed without stopping was 10 minutes. Something just clicked, and as I was on that treadmill I could almost feel myself becoming stronger. I felt like I could've run forever!

I hope others may see my achievement and be driven to try something they never thought possible. Just because you might think that you 'can't' or shouldn't be able to do something, doesn't mean that you aren't capable if you really want it!

I didn't stop or walk at any stage, and even though it took me about 40 minutes I am actually glowing from being able to do this!
Tried the 'Couch-to-5K' challenge a couple of months ago, and quit after a couple of weeks as I just didn't feel ready. At the time I was really angry with myself as I'd set a goal to run a 5K by Christmas, but my confidence was so low and I couldn't stop thinking 'I'm an obese woman, there's no way I can run 3.11 miles!' And before today the longest I'd managed without stopping was 10 minutes. Something just clicked, and as I was on that treadmill I could almost feel myself becoming stronger. I felt like I could've run forever!

I hope others may see my achievement and be driven to try something they never thought possible. Just because you might think that you 'can't' or shouldn't be able to do something, doesn't mean that you aren't capable if you really want it!

I'm not usually smug, but...

What an awesome accomplishment!!!! I am so proud of you!! I also have a goal of running a 5k in 2011. I plan to start the C25K once I get below 200. I would love to be able to run my first in the spring.

Awesome! Enjoy the smugness. I would recommend signing up for a 5k run in the spring. They're really motivating because you see ALL types of people with all types of running styles. It's amazing to see big crowds gather for something that's actually good for them!

Felicity, that is just incredible and very, very inspiring to me. I never thought I would be able to run again. I just started running at the end of October and I'm trying to work up to a mile. Going a 5k would be a dream. Your story has inspired me to push a little bit harder toward that goal. Thank you for sharing it. :-)

__________________STATSJuly 2010: 216 lbs., sz 24December 17, 2010: 180 lbs., sz 14Total Weight Loss: 36 lbs.GOALS:1st Goal: Get out of the "obese" category on the BMI chart. Goal met. Yay!2nd Goal: 154 lbs. - Get out of the "overweight" category on the BMI chart. Target date is March 5, 2011.Final Goal: 130 lbs - fit into a size 6 "goal dress" I bought. It's an amazing White House Black Market silk dress that I stare at every day to remind me where I'm going.